• parented.
  • ate.
  • created.
  • learned.
  • gave thanks.
  • About Me
  • Home

STRONG

30 Days Hath September – Whole30 Reflections

Posted by Carolyn on September 30, 2015 1 Comment

So, it’s September 30th.  this means a lot of things.

October is tomorrow, and Autumn is really, truly here.  I can really see this on my walks.  The trees are beautiful.  There’s a chill in the air.  The students are back on campus.  I’m drinking hot tea instead of iced.

It also means we’ve technically made it to the end of our first Whole30.  I say technically, because it has now been 30 days.  But, really, it’s just the beginning (and not really an ending).  It was a great experience, and we learned a lot about food, nutrition, our bodies, and what we’re capable of.  I lost six pounds in the 3 1/2 weeks, Jesse lost 14).

This past weekend, we had a couple birthday parties to attend, so we decided to relax the rules since we were almost done.  I ended up having a tiny portion of Yumm (locals will know that this means beans, brown rice, veggies and Yumm sauce).  I instantly – I mean instantly – got a stomach ache and it became a gut bomb for the rest of the day.  I was bloated and uncomfortable.  Jesse got instant heartburn.  Now, I always feel like Yumm is a healthy option, and I still think that it is (way better than fried foods, greasy meat, etc), so this surprised me.  I realized that ‘healthy’ doesn’t necessarily mean ‘good for you.’  I’m not sure what it was that wasn’t good for me, but with the bloating and discomfort, I’m going to guess it was the beans.  Suffice it to say, after a day of discomfort, I went back to the Whole30 way of eating for the rest of the weekend.

On Monday I wanted to try something else, so I got one of my favorite pumpkin muffins from a local bakery.  I figured I had done really well, and deserved a treat on my walk.  I bought it, started eating it, anticipating it to be the best thing I had ever eaten.  I ate about half of the muffin, and was full and done.  I didn’t feel gross like on Saturday, but I just realized it wasn’t worth it, so I didn’t finish it.  I didn’t get any headaches or pains, so I’m going to assume that grains are okay for me to eat.

Since then, I’ve been back on the Whole30 plan.  From here on out, I’m going to stick to it, but not strictly.  I mean, if there’s something that looks good, and isn’t too unhealthy, I’ll have some of it.  During this past month, I’ve learned ways to snack healthier, choosing an apple or a few banana chips.  I’ve learned that I don’t need as much food as I previously thought.  I feel like I’ve slayed my sugar-beast.  At the parties this weekend, I could have had cupcakes, but didn’t, and truthfully, I didn’t really miss them.

I know that the Whole30 plan is crazy restrictive and overwhelming.  I get it.  There were days that were really difficult.  There were things I really wanted to eat.  But, I kept going.  It’s easier than counting calories or points.  It isn’t just some fad diet that has crazy things like tons of grapefruits or cabbage soup.  It really felt like everything I put in my body had a purpose and was making me feel healthier and more energetic.  I learned that a microwaved apple with cinnamon and nutmeg is a wonderful dessert, but that I didn’t always even need to have dessert.  I learned that if I was feeling a slump, some tea or a handful of cashews would do the trick.

Most of all, I learned that I’m strong.  My will is strong.  My body is strong.  Today, on my walk, I walked through a beautiful oak grove and couldn’t help taking a selfie.  When I looked at the photo on my phone, I thought I looked great.  My hair is just in a braid, and I’m not wearing makeup, but I still thought I looked great.  I know it’s only six pounds, but I feel like my face looks thinner.  And my skin is clearer, my hair is shinier, my eyes are brighter.  Usually, I’ll take 100 selfies and kind of like one of them.  Today I took about 20, and liked 10 of them.  I know it sounds silly, but to me, that is strength.

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window)
Posted in: 35 Until 35, ate., gave thanks., STRONG | Tagged: autumn, food, gratitude, one little word, strong, whole30

I KonMari-ed All The Things!

Posted by Carolyn on September 24, 2015 2 Comments

We read The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up in my book club, and I have to say, it really is magic.  If you haven’t heard already about Marie Kondo’s book about how to tidy up for the last time, this post will tell you what the KonMari Method is all about.  If you already know what it’s about, but don’t want to tackle the life-changing magic yourself, hopefully this post will help convince you.

kon mari readingThe basic explanation for the KonMari Method is that you only keep things that spark joy.  You don’t choose what you’re throwing out, you choose what you’re keeping, and you choose with joy.  You hold everything in your hands and feel if there is joy.  If there is, keep it.  If not, thank it, and put it aside.  I know that this sounds silly, and this one idea seems to have prevented a lot of people from doing the method.  It feels strange to thank an object, but it really made sense to me.

On the section on clothes, she wrote about how there are things we buy, but never wear.  I had a couple shirts I had bought for $2, but never liked to wear.  Her philosophy on this is that I already got the joy out of them – the moment I got a great deal, that was the joy.  But if they don’t continue to bring joy, that’s okay, let them go.  Thank them for the joy they brought and move on.  It was such a relief to be given permission to let go of something.

Another thing I had a hard time with was my box of clothes from college.  These clothes no longer fit me, but I’ve kept them.  Perhaps I hold out hope to be that size again, but the reality is that if I were ever that size again, I won’t want to wear dated, old clothes.  There was one skirt, in particular, that I have been holding onto.  I have to admit that holding it, thinking about my memories of it, thanking it, and putting it in the charity box with all the hopes and dreams of the future owner all helped me let go of it.  I know that all my memories will remain, even if I don’t have the skirt anymore.  Memories of my sweet basketball skills included:

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Jesse and I have been living in this house for almost six years.  That means the last time we went through all our stuff was six years ago, and even then, we just threw things in boxes and moved them from one place to another.  I know that I had some boxes that had moved with my parents from house to house and finally to my house, never having been opened.  Honestly, knowing that those boxes were in my attic stressed me out.

kon mari clothes harrietWe started with clothes, and brought each and every article of clothing out to the living room and created clothes mountains.  There were things like the skirt that I was sad to get rid of, but knowing that they didn’t bring me joy anymore, it was easy to put them in the donate pile.  The girls’ clothes were easier to do that my own.  I have a few boxes of clothes for the girls.  I’m keeping some outfits forever and ever.  I’m keeping some to turn into a quilt or two.  I’m keeping some to pass on to future nieces.

kon mari booksNext was books.  Another thing in the book said that if you bought a book a few years ago and never read it, you will probably never read it.  There will never come a time that you look at your bookshelf and decide that it is finally time.  The joy was in the buying, and every time you see the book on your self, you feel guilty that you never read it.  This was totally true for so many of my books!  I would love to have a whole library full of books, someday, but I know that I don’t need to fill it with books that don’t spark joy.  We sold a bunch of books, then donated the rest.

kon mari bathroomKitchen and bathroom stuff was next.  The kitchen was awesome, and my mom helped me reorganize all the things that spark joy.  I love the flow so much better now.  The bathroom cracked me up.  We had so much crap!  Serious crap.  Expired pills, random broken hair elastics, four Sonicare chargers, old gross lotions.  The photo above is everything pulled out of all the cabinets and drawers (not what our counters usually look like… haha!).  It feels so much better to open a drawer and see everything and know that it’s all useful.

kon mari special thingsIt took me a long time to get to the next part of the KonMari Method.  This was the mementos and keepsakes.   This was those boxes that had followed me around for almost two decades.  The photo above is everything I’m getting rid of.  That means that I’ve basically moved four separate boxes that I should have thrown out every time I’ve moved.  Isn’t that sort of depressing?  What you don’t see pictured are the two small boxes of photos and keepsakes that I decided to save.  It seriously stressed me out, knowing that there were boxes and boxes of this stuff up in the attic.  I knew that I didn’t want to just get rid of the photos, but the thought of putting the vast numbers of photos in albums was dizzying.  Now I have a shoebox sized box full of photos.  I can totally tackle that someday and get them all in albums.  Not dizzying anymore.

I’ll get to the Autumn decor, Christmas, and other seasonal decorations as they come, but I’m not going to take something back up to the attic that I don’t want to keep there.

So, the verdict?  I love the KonMari Method.  It feels great.  I feel more free.  I love seeing tidy surfaces and drawers.  It’s hard with kids since they grow so quickly and seem to play with so many things, but it’s worth it.  I have gone through their toys a few times since the first time, and I can usually find a few toys that don’t spark joy anymore.  I also really think before I buy them something new.  Do they really need this item?  Will it be something that sparks joy in the long-term?  Usually the answer is no, and it’s easy to just put it back on the shelf.

If you’re wondering, I feel like the book has already served its purpose in my life, so I passed it on.

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window)
Posted in: book review, created., decorating, DIY, learned., STRONG | Tagged: books, decorating, kon mari, organizing, tidy, tidying up

Autumn To Do List, 2015

Posted by Carolyn on September 23, 2015 Leave a Comment

It’s the first day of Autumn!  Officially!  Finally! Here are some photos from last Autumn and a list of things to do this Autumn.  Feel free to play along!andthenthey autumn to do 6 andthenthey autumn to do 5 andthenthey autumn to do 4 andthenthey autumn to do 3 andthenthey autumn to do 2 andthenthey autumn to do 1

  1. Drink hot cider.
  2. Drink pumpkin beer.
  3. Go to the pumpkin patch.
  4. Make art.
  5. Make Halloween costumes.
  6. Go trick or treating.
  7. Make new Beatrix top.
  8. Christmas gifts.
  9. Make apple crisp.
  10. Jump in puddles.
  11. Go on a date.
  12. #30daysof thanksgiving on Instagram.
  13. Go on a hay ride.
  14. Go to a Halloween party.
  15. Find some snow.
  16. Put the garden to bed for the winter.
  17. Decorate for Autumn. Done!
  18. Make Christmas banner for CaroMade.
  19. Prep the December Daily album.
  20. Get some Advent things ready like:
    1. The Goodness Gnomes (or whatever they will end up being.. I bought some little fairy things at the Country Fair this year).
    2. Other traditions for Christmastime/ Advent.
  21. Drink tea. Done!  That one was easy!
  22. Do a puzzle.
  23. Eat some cheese.
  24. Plan our 10th Anniversary Party.
  25. Go to the library.

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window)
Posted in: 35 Until 35, gave thanks., gratitude, learned., parented. | Tagged: 2015, autumn, autumn to do, to do, to do list

Summer To Do List, Wrap-up!

Posted by Carolyn on September 22, 2015 Leave a Comment

Here are some updates from our summer to do list.  I think we did quite a good job checking things off the list.  We didn’t get to everything, but we got to a lot!  At the beginning of the summer, I was so anxious and scared about what I was going to do to keep all of us entertained for the entire summer.  It all worked out and we had lots of fun.  We got into a groove and had lots of help.

  • Pick a summer theme song. Right now I’m thinking of something by Jenny Lewis or Rilo Kiley.  We just saw Jenny last week, so I’m on a Jenny/Rilo kick.  Or I might throw back to some of my favorite summers, and go with a Dave Matthews song.  DMB songs always make me think of summer.
    I decided on Budapest because it’s fun, it’s on the radio a lot, and Peter just did a cool version.
  • Take, and post to Instagram, a photo every day, starting June 21st and ending September 22nd – the first and last days of summer.  Recently I’ve gotten into sharing my day to day stuff on Snapchat, and haven’t been posting as much on Instagram.  I think I’ll look back and wish I’d taken more permanent documentation of these days.  This summer, I will post (at least) one photo a day and I’ll use the hashtag #93summerdays if you want to play along! I did this pretty well!  The past few weeks, I sort of stopped because it hasn’t felt very summery.  I did have one friend play along, and it was fun to see our photos together in the #93summerdays on Instagram.  Thanks for playing, Meredith!
  • Run through the sprinklers.  I tend to be an observer in this activity.  I vow to participate this summer. I did this a couple times, but I also got in the kiddie pool, too!
  • Play outside everyday.  This is a long-term goal to get my kids to play outside everyday, rain or shine or snow or fog or whatever.  I think they’re getting to be old enough, and creative enough that I can start this.  Best to start in the summer, I figure! Not sure we did this absolutely everyday, but pretty darn close!
  • Have a dinner of corn on the cob.  When corn is in season, there’s nothing better. Nope. We had some good corn, but not a full meal.  Then we started Whole30 and couldn’t eat corn anymore at all.
  • Go to a concert. We went to a few of the free concerts at the Hult Center.  It was fun to have things to do out on the town.
  • Stargaze with Alma. Ideally, I want to take her out into the country or wilderness where stars are brighter.  I think it would be fun to let her stay up late (or get her up) and take her out, just the two of us. Nope.  It got dark way too late for this.  Maybe we’ll bundle up and do it this winter.
  • KonMari Method everything. This will likely be an entire blog post, but I have read The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up and am in the process of getting rid of things that don’t spark joy.  It’s already been incredible, I can’t wait to continue. We are soooo close to being done!  I did the photographs last weekend, and there are just a few boxes in the attic to tackle.  I’ve been waiting for it to cool down so it’s not an oven up there. 
  • Go on a day date with Jesse. 
  • Hike.
  • Camp.  We went to my parents’ annual campout for Harriet’s first camping trip.  She loved it and we all had fun!
  • Ride bikes.  We didn’t ride as much as I thought we would…
  • Make lemonade from scratch.  Nope.
  • Watch fireworks.  Big ones this year, I think. Nope.  Next year.
  • Build a sandcastle. In Coronado, Alma spent lots of time digging and building and ruining sand castles.
  • Make ice cream from scratch.
    We made a cherry dark chocolate ice cream.  I liked it, Alma didn’t, Jesse was indifferent, Harriet likes anything.
  • Redecorate the living room – specifically the mantel. It still is covered in Easter decorations.  Come on.  Jesus has already ascended into Heaven and we’re fully in a new church season.  Seriously, Carolyn. We did this, but now it’s time to do it again!
  • Go to the beach.  This should be easy.  We have another vacation to Coronado planned. Yep.  Alma loved it, Harriet fell asleep every time we went to play in the waves.
  • Go to the mountains.
  • Bake a crisp, or other summery dessert.   Blueberry cobbler ftw.
  • Swim in nature – ocean, river, lake, stream.
  • Eat wild berries. Nope.  What?  How did we miss this?
  • Make s’mores.
  • Take each Harriet and Alma on an adventure, just us.  I don’t think we really did this… I mean, I spent some time with each of them, but not on purpose.
  • Plan our tenth anniversary celebration.  Ten years!  What? We are still working on this one…
  • Learn how to shop at thrift stores.  They totally overwhelm me and I never buy anything.  I love to idea of not wearing new clothes – better for earth, better for the workers who make clothes, cheaper – I just don’t know how to do it. Nope.  Someday, maybe!
  • Go to the Country Fair. Photos here!
  • Go to new parks.  Maybe try for all the parks in Eugene?  Is that crazy?  Anyone want to attempt this with us? We went to lots of new parks and found some new favorites! 
  • Shop at the farmer’s market as often as possible.  Maybe make it a weekly activity. We never really made it to the farmer’s market, but we went to the farm a lot!  I decided it would be much easier with the girls to go somewhere that they can run around, feed goats, climb in hay, etc.
  • Have a water balloon fight. Ugh!  We never did this!  Boo!
  • Buy some treats from the ice cream truck. I tried hard for this one.  We never even saw an ice cream truck, darn it!  A couple times after the kids were in bed I heard one in the distance…
  • Go to the library.  Another weekly activity? We went a lot, but not weekly.
  • Swim in a pool. We went to my parents’ club pool a few times.  Both girls love being in the water.  Alma got really brave with jumping off, and even went off the diving board!
  • Tie dye something. Nope.
  • Go berry picking. Nope.

 

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window)
Posted in: 35 Until 35, gave thanks., learned., parented., writing | Tagged: 2015, summer, summer to do list, to do, to do list

STRONG Six Month Update

Posted by Carolyn on June 8, 2015 Leave a Comment

IMG_7887As I reported in January, I bought some of Elise’s goal sheets.  I was totally gung-ho for a while with these, but I’ve lost steam.

I’ve been wanting to do an update… I decided I would recommit, then post an update when I was back on track. I thought 3 months in would be good.  But I wasn’t happy with my progress at the time.  Then 4 months passed and I still didn’t have my butt in gear.  Then 5 months…

We’re in the 6th month now, and I’m still not happy with the amount of dots I’ve filled in lately.  I decided to go with the idea that I need to make it public to make it happen.  So, here I am, publicly announcing that it’s time to try again, start over, keep going.

I quick reminder of what I’m trying to commit to this year:  Being STRONG.  Strong in body, mind, spirit.  I thought a few of the things I could do to get stronger are flossing, kissing my family, writing a letter each week, going on a monthly hike, taking vitamins, sun salutations, 7 minute workouts, picking up my clothes, and having a wrist party (aka taking 10,000 steps in a day).IbMG_7887As you can see, I haven’t done very well lately.  My update is kind of sad. There are some sheets I haven’t even touched in months.

I decided that it was best to just post these photographs.  It’s best to just show the truth of my situation.  And that is that I need to get back on track.  I need to be motivated to fill in those little bubbles.  The second column is coming up, and I’d like to see it much more full.

Especially the wrist party sheet.  IMG_7895Okay, STRONG, let’s do this.  Again.  For reals this time.

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window)
Posted in: a little moment, learned., STRONG | Tagged: one little word, strong

Summer To Do List, 2015

Posted by Carolyn on June 2, 2015 4 Comments

And then they summer to do list Alma beachJune is here.  School’s almost over.  Summer’s coming.  I’m not the biggest fan of summer, I admit.  I thinking having a list of things to do this summer might make me enjoy it more.  A lot of these are also on my 35 Until 35 list, so that’s good.

  1. Pick a summer theme song. Right now I’m thinking of something by Jenny Lewis or Rilo Kiley.  We just saw Jenny last week, so I’m on a Jenny/Rilo kick.  Or I might throw back to some of my favorite summers, and go with a Dave Matthews song.  DMB songs always make me think of summer.
    I decided on Budapest because it’s fun, it’s on the radio a lot, and Peter just did a cool version.
  2. Take, and post to Instagram, a photo every day, starting June 21st and ending September 22nd – the first and last days of summer.  Recently I’ve gotten into sharing my day to day stuff on Snapchat, and haven’t been posting as much on Instagram.  I think I’ll look back and wish I’d taken more permanent documentation of these days.  This summer, I will post (at least) one photo a day and I’ll use the hashtag #93summerdays if you want to play along!
  3. Run through the sprinklers.  I tend to be an observer in this activity.  I vow to participate this summer.
  4. Play outside everyday.  This is a long-term goal to get my kids to play outside everyday, rain or shine or snow or fog or whatever.  I think they’re getting to be old enough, and creative enough that I can start this.  Best to start in the summer, I figure!
  5. Have a dinner of corn on the cob.  When corn is in season, there’s nothing better.
  6. Go to a concert.
  7. Stargaze with Alma. Ideally, I want to take her out into the country or wilderness where stars are brighter.  I think it would be fun to let her stay up late (or get her up) and take her out, just the two of us.
  8. KonMari Method everything. This will likely be an entire blog post, but I have read The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up and am in the process of getting rid of things that don’t spark joy.  It’s already been incredible, I can’t wait to continue.
  9. Go on a day date with Jesse. And then they summer to do list alma forrest
  10. Hike.
  11. Camp.
  12. Ride bikes.
  13. Make lemonade from scratch.
  14. Watch fireworks.  Big ones this year, I think.
  15. Build a sandcastle.
  16. Make ice cream from scratch.
    We made a cherry dark chocolate ice cream.  I liked it, Alma didn’t, Jesse was indifferent, Harriet likes anything.
  17. Redecorate the living room – specifically the mantel. It still is covered in Easter decorations.  Come on.  Jesus has already ascended into Heaven and we’re fully in a new church season.  Seriously, Carolyn.
  18. Go to the beach.  This should be easy.  We have another vacation to Coronado planned.
  19. Go to the mountains.
  20. Bake a crisp, or other summery dessert.   Blueberry cobbler ftw.And then they summer to do list harriet swinging
  21. Swim in nature – ocean, river, lake, stream.
  22. Eat wild berries.
  23. Make s’mores.
  24. Take each Harriet and Alma on an adventure, just us. 
  25. Plan our tenth anniversary celebration.  Ten years!  What?
  26. Learn how to shop at thrift stores.  They totally overwhelm me and I never buy anything.  I love to idea of not wearing new clothes – better for earth, better for the workers who make clothes, cheaper – I just don’t know how to do it.
  27. Go to the Country Fair. Photos here!And then they summer to do list alma doorway
  28. Go to new parks.  Maybe try for all the parks in Eugene?  Is that crazy?  Anyone want to attempt this with us?
  29. Shop at the farmer’s market as often as possible.  Maybe make it a weekly activity.
  30. Have a water balloon fight.
  31. Buy some treats from the ice cream truck.
  32. Go to the library.  Another weekly activity?
  33. Swim in a pool.
  34. Tie dye something.
  35. Go berry picking. And then they summer to do list harriet crawlingAnyone want to play along?  What’s on your list this summer?

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window)
Posted in: 35 Until 35, gave thanks., learned., parented., story telling, writing | Tagged: 35, children, kids, list, Parenting, photography, summer, to do

Ballet

Posted by Carolyn on May 21, 2015 Leave a Comment

And Then They Ballet Back Looking OnThere are some things we do in our lives that seem to define us.  For me, ballet is one of those things.  I danced from when I was three until high school, and a little in college.  So much of who I am stems from my dancing.  The way I walk, the way I move, the way I hear music, the way I stretch.

I was never particularly great, but I didn’t know that.  To me, my dream of being a real ballerina was a possibility.  A real possibility.  I loved all of ballet, but I especially loved the leaps.  I would do leap turns around and around the studio, trying to get higher, faster.

When we finally learned to do fouette turns, and I felt like I was finally a real ballerina.  I could hop onto pointe, use my other leg to send me in turn after turn after turn.

My dance recitals are some of my favorite memories of childhood.  I loved the preparation as our teacher would choreograph and teach us the moves.  We would pour over the costume catalogs and memorize our music.  Then we would practice.  Those days were the best.  We would do our barre work, then rush to practice.

Dress rehearsals and photographs meant the recital was almost there.

Then the day came.

We would go in the stage door of the Hult Center (like real ballerinas).  We would go to the dressing rooms (like real ballerinas).  We would go up to the wings and wait for our music to start (like real ballerinas).

Then, for a few minutes, with the stage lights shining, we were real ballerinas.  The audience was watching us, counting our fouettes, cheering us on.

Those things, those experiences, made me who I am today.

Those things are helping make my children who they are today.

Last weekend was Alma’s first ballet recital.  Those moments that I experienced over and over in my childhood were upon us in Alma’s young childhood. And Then They Ballet PortraitAnd Then They Ballet GroupI was backstage with Alma and her group.  I got to watch her experience those same things.  She watched as the big girls got their hair done.  She had a woman put her crown in her hair.  She posed for the photographer.  She was silly with her friends.  She went into the wings.  She watched the dancers.  She saw magic happen before her eyes. And Then They Ballet BackstageShe heard her music and went on stage.  She heard the audience react to what she was doing.  She was a ballerina.And Then They Ballet Tulle LightAnd the whole experience is making her into a person, a girl, a woman, a ballerina.  And it’s changing who I am, too.

The things we are doing are defining who Alma will become.  It’s magical.

(Alma is second from right, at least in the beginning… I told her to jump up and down if she forgot the steps…)

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window)
Posted in: a little moment, created., gave thanks., learned., STRONG | Tagged: alma, ballet, create, dance, friday gratitudes, kids, Parenting, play

Family Portraits

Posted by Carolyn on May 16, 2015 Leave a Comment

When Alma and Harriet were babies, they had portraits done.  That’s the only time I can think of since our wedding that anyone in our family has had portraits done.  For my birthday this year, my parents gave us a session with a wonderful photographer for family portraits.

Courtney Theim was amazing to work with.  She was incredibly flexible as we waited for a break in the weather to head up to Hendrick’s park.  We met her early one morning and she took some beautiful family portraits with magical light and the incredible backdrop that is the park in springtime.

Here are some of my favorites.

IMG_3826I’m not often in front of the camera, so I’m so happy to have these.  I could write a whole blog post about body image and moms missing from family photos, but I’m sure you’ve all read it before.  The main thing is that I don’t want to look back at my life and not see myself in the photos.  I also don’t want my daughters to see me missing. IMG_3847 IMG_3900 IMG_3922My beautiful, silly girl, with those sweet freckles. IMG_3959 IMG_3966 Come on, seriously.  Harriet is so lovely.IMG_3977I love Harriet’s closed eyes here.  And our strawberry blond curls. IMG_4096 IMG_4104 Look at Harriet looking at Alma.  So much love and admiration right there.  Believe me that it is mutual.IMG_4270 Courtney wanted to try this hand photo, and Harriet didn’t want to play along.  I’m astonished that Courtney was able to catch the split second all our hands were stacked up.  That’s talent, folks.IMG_4390 IMG_4405a IMG_4414 IMG_4467Please contact Courtney if you need some photos done.  She’s wonderfully professional, and was great with the kids.  And the proof’s in the pudding.  The photos are amazing.

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window)
Posted in: gave thanks., nature, parented., STRONG | Tagged: children, grateful, gratitude, kids, Oregon, Parenting, photography

On Blogging

Posted by Carolyn on April 21, 2015 1 Comment

What is a blog?  Why do I write here?  Who is reading this?  Who do I want to read this?  Why do other people write?  Why do I read blogs?

On blogging and then theyYesterday, something happened in my little internet world.  One of my favorite bloggers (and creative inspirations) was caught up in a blog-drama.  Elise is a truly creative blogger.  She has a new post every day.  She spends her time creating.  She is honest and generous.  She is dedicated and professional.

Yesterday, as part of her Make/Give30 project, she posted a quilt that she had made.  It was open for bidding, and the proceeds would go to Habitat for Humanity.  In her post about the quilt, she was honest about her process – that it wasn’t a perfect quilt, that it was never intended to be a perfect quilt (which in my opinion makes it better… quilts are made with love, to be loved, to show love).  In the comments, some people attacked her for even posting something imperfect, calling it unprofessional.

First of all, come on.  You don’t need to comment if you disagree.  Just move on, click the next blog, it doesn’t matter.

But, it got me thinking.  One of the comments that defended Elise said something, and I’m paraphrasing here, about how this is Elise’s house, and all of the readers are guests in her house and should act accordingly.

As a blog reader, my lists of blogs is constantly changing.  A writer will move away from my interests, or I will get annoyed by something, or they will write something I don’t agree with, or I will find myself feeling jealous of the blogger’s life.  And here’s what I do:  I unfollow the blog.  It’s simple.  The world – and the internet – is so full of negative things.  I don’t need to add to that.  I enjoy my life so much better when I’m being positive.  I don’t need to read things that make me mad.  I don’t need to read stories that make me feel jealous or insecure.  If I’m not comfortable in a blogger’s “house,”  I’m going to leave it.

Easy at that.

That is why I read.  And why I don’t read.

Why I write is something else entirely.

The last couple weeks I’ve been feeling sort of melancholy.  I think it’s a combination of coming home from vacation, being with the kids all the time, cutting way back on nursing Harriet (helllllllo hormones), and just the stress of the past year catching up.  I took some time to edit and post the Disneyland photos, and I instantly felt better.

My friend (and inspiration) Sarah, just wrote on Facebook about how a doctor once prescribed that she spend thirty minutes each day creating or meditating.

With this blog, I know that I go in spurts.  I will be super inspired for a while, and really keep up with posting on it.  Then there will come a time that I’m not inspired and I don’t feel like I have anything to post.  And the blog is quiet.  And (I know this sounds precious) my soul is quiet.  It isn’t that the work of the blog gets overwhelming, it’s more that I’m just not taking the time to create.

When I’m making things, and cooking things, and growing things, I am inspired.  I’m inspired to write and share on the blog.  Those are the times that I feel the best and the happiest.

I’ve tried many different iterations of this blog – a strict schedule, a flexible schedule, no schedule, no blogging, over-blogging.  I have grand ideas that I will be able to make this blog into a wildly successful corner of the internet, and have that success spill over into CaroMade, and I’ll be a super amazing blogger who creates for a living.  That’s the dream.

But for now, I’m going to focus on doing it for my happiness, sanity, inspiration, and as a positive place that I can call my internet home.  If I don’t blog for a week or two, I won’t beat myself up, but I will remind myself that I usually feel better after I write.

After all, this is my home.  And you are all welcome.

And if you are still here, and still reading, after all this, and are wondering how Elise handled her drama, she did it like a pro.  Today she came back with a post about sweet potato fries that began with a joke.

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window)
Posted in: created., gave thanks., STRONG, writing | Tagged: blogging, creating, creative, writing

35 Things to do Before I Turn 35

Posted by Carolyn on February 26, 2015 6 Comments

Yesterday was my birthday!  I am now proud to say that I have made 34 trips around the sun.  Pretty cool journey we get to take each year, flying around in outer space.  For my 35th years, I decided to make a list of 35 things to do before I turn 35. ABM_1424992821Here’s my list:

  1. Read a book a month.  This should be easy since I have book club every month.  If I keep up with the club, this will be complete!  Note to self: must get this month’s book!
  2. Sign up for life insurance.  Not to be morbid, or anything.  But, yeah.
  3. Try a Barre3 class.
  4. Get a monthly massage.  I would love to complete this goal, but I think it might be one of the less likely.
  5. Try acupuncture.
  6. Get a haircut.  I’m pretty much on a once yearly schedule, and my last haircut was last March.  I did this right before my trip to California!  I love it how the stylist thins out my hair.  Feels so much lighter!
  7. Try 5 recipes from my new cookbook!
  8. Spend a weekend at the beach.
  9. Spend a weekend in the mountains.
  10. Can something.  Maybe tomatoes, pizza sauce, green beans?  What do you think, friends?  I know I have some amazing canning friends!
  11. Get our garden going again.  It has been sadly ignored since I’ve either been pregnant or living with a small baby for the past 3 summers.
  12. Focus on getting my Etsy shop going.  Note:  It has a new name and address – CaroMade!
  13. Post one new listing on CaroMade every month.
  14. Do a creative retreat – either an organized one, or organize my own!
  15. Get more chickens.
  16. Get back on my daily chore schedule!  Our house neeeeeeeds it!
  17. Go to Disneyland!  Yes!  We took Alma there with my cousin and his family.  So perfect.
  18. Go to a Broadway musical – it will more than likely be on tour, but it will count and it will be amazing.
  19. Hike 35 miles.  Or maybe 35 kilometers might be more attainable.
  20. Get the trailer set up and go on bike rides with the girls.
  21. Rent a limo.  I’m thinking wine tasting, or Christmas lights?
  22. Make and sew a huge cushion for our hearth.
  23. Get chairs recovered.
  24. Get estimates to get our house painted.
  25. Set up some good seasonal capsule wardrobes.
  26. 5 Days of Christmas crafts on the blog.
  27. Get going on a creative, relaxing morning routine.
  28. More author interviews on the blog.
  29. Plant a tree, or lots of trees.
  30. Take a class.  Sewing?  Cooking? Writing?
  31. Sew some clothing for me.
  32. Make art of Alma’s and Harriet’s rooms.
  33. Go to the Country Fair.
  34. Go camping.
  35. Build a sandcastle or a snowman.

And…. GO!

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window)
Posted in: learned., STRONG | Tagged: art, birthday, creating, garden, goal setting, goals, Life, love, Novruz, Oregon, sewing, strong, travel
« Previous 1 2 3 Next »
If God said, ‘Rumi pay homage to everything that has helped you enter my arms,’ there would not be one experience of my life, not one thought, not one feeling, nor any act, I would not bow to. -Rumi

Recent Posts

  • 3 for 1 Pumpkin Brew Fest (2019, 2021, 2022)
  • Pumpkin Beer Fest 2020
  • SEPTEMBER 2019: Currently
  • Dear Harriet, Age 6
  • OCTOBER 2018: CURRENTLY

Archives

Categories

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

Copyright © 2023 and then they....

Theme by ThemeHall.

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.